Landscaping Basics

Landscaping inexpensively can make a design statement for your yard and keep money in your wallet. Sometimes it's a question of revamping en entire landscape or just a section of your yard. Either...

Thistle weed is a stubborn plant to eradicate as it has hundreds of seeds and runners that grow underground producing new plants. It is hardy, with sharp stems and can grow up 5 feet tall in very...

Whether you live in the tropics or just want a mental escape each time you step into your backyard, a tropical landscape creates a distinct outdoor living space. The planning of the tropical...

Ground covers are easiest to grow by planting them in the spring, but they can be planted in the autumn, too, if done early enough to get established before the first frost of fall. It helps to...

Desert landscaping can be a very attractive and alluring look to your home or garden. If you live in a dry desert city like Phoenix or Las Vegas, desert landscaping is encouraged in order to save...

While you may think of a garden as filled with only flowers, incorporating shrubs to the mix adds structure and interest to a space. Planting shrubs can provide additional benefits such as privacy...

Cascading rock garden plants thrive where others cannot. An ugly retaining wall, an unsightly slope or a steep hillside can be turned into a vibrant focal point of dramatic color and eye-catching...

Perennial borders accent your yard or garden. Grasses, shrubs, small trees and flowers are a few of the types of plants that you might include in a perennial border. By planning a simple design...

Mulch is a gardening aid used to moderate soil temperature and retain moisture. You can buy dyed mulch in a few different colors: white, brown, red and black. Black mulch is one of the most...

Rock mulch gives a landscaped area a different look than standard wood mulch. Rock mulch comes in many varieties, sizes and colors, so it's easy to find the perfect compliment to your landscape....

Landscaping your garden can add beauty to your backyard space as well as value to your home. If done well, you can have a well-planned area that blends with the style of your own home. In creating...

Coastal landscaping creates a beach atmosphere with simple furniture, beach-themed accessories and hardy, but beautiful, plants. The elements of a coastal landscape should be down-to-earth and...

Landscaping a slope can be particularly challenging, but also very rewarding once it is completed. Erosion, poor soil, gravel or rock ground cover that will not stay in place and danger in mowing...

Gardeners searching for an inexpensive, low-maintenance landscape material often choose pea gravel. Pea gravel fits easily among plants and shrubs and will stay attractive for a long time. With a...

Landscape a perennial yard with flowers and shrubs that will be there to enjoy for years to come. Plan on the front end to get the maximum pleasure and enjoyment from the landscaping. We often...

Landscaping styles vary. However, the basic concept of designing outdoor spaces is to make them beautiful. The definition of a beautiful garden depends on location and use of the space. Today...

The design of landscapes used to be mostly a matter of style and affordability. However, as home and business owners have become more environmentally conscious, other factors are now coming into...

Plants are living things - changing, growing, and eventually dying. As such, creating a landscape must take that into consideration. Use native plants, consider the type of land you have, and give...

Foundation landscaping refers to the area extending 6 to 10 feet from the house. Foundation landscaping should neither overwhelm a house nor isolate it from the yard; it should make the house the...

Edging does more than outline a landscape. The right edging can transform an OK-looking landscape to one that is eye-catching. The right design will set your home out from the rest. Yet, with all...

Stone is a popular building material for homes. It is strong and durable, but it can also make a house look cold and forbidding. Landscaping can soften the lines of your home, give it personality...

Numerous corner lot landscaping ideas are available. The shape of the lot, building location, the soil condition and the amount of sun or shade affect the choices. The inclusion of hard...

Wanting to beautify the exterior of your home is every homeowner's dream. Maybe your perfect landscape includes trees, beautiful shrubs and abundant flower gardens lined with a white picket fence....

Urban yards pose interesting landscaping challenges. There are many ways to beautify the small spaces and create an inviting landscape. The urban landscape can be an oasis in a desert of concrete.

As our attitude toward the environment changes, building is taking on new dimensions. Whereas in the past walls, floors and roofing was made of manufactured products, basic wood and stone, new...

It doesn't have to cost a lot of money to landscape your yard. If you educate yourself and plan ahead, you can save hundreds if not thousands of dollars and take pride in knowing that you did it...

Southwestern style landscaping was influenced by Native American and Mexican Spanish mission styles. It combines bright colors, rough textures and native plants in pleasing garden areas.

Transforming a plain backyard into a tropical paradise creates a relaxing oasis for entertaining or relaxing any day of the week. This backyard retreat encompasses the decorative elements of a...

I had a client tell me that she really wanted to use this one plant. Did not know the name but saw it as she was driving by. She took me to see the plant and the second I saw it I said to her......

A landscape design is like a road map: It can be elaborate or just a simple sketch. The key to a good design is planning and research. The biggest mistake is to purchase the plants first and then...

The most beautiful landscapes require effort and planning to achieve a polished look. Landscape design incorporates basic techniques to create groomed gardens that blend with a home. Landscape...

It's almost summer and now you need to get your backyard ready for those BBQ parties and pool parties and family get together's. But where do you begin in planning your awesome backyard design?

Landscaping incorporates very basic design principles similar to those used inside the home. This planned approach offers a measured way to decorate the exterior of your home. Landscape design...

Planting a landscaped yard, garden or patio is not only beautiful, it can increase your property value. Landscaping projects are not just for the professional landscaper--you can do it yourself...

Choosing to landscape your property involves preparing for an expensive undertaking. Landscape planning should be your very first step before redoing your property. Buying plants and materials...

Small side yards are sometimes hard to landscape because of the small space and odd shape. Air circulation is problematic as well. A solution for a small side yard is to decorate the area with a...

Growing plants under any tree presents a challenge. Trees use up both water and nutrients from the surrounding soil, leaving little left for additional plants to survive on. The tree's shade also...

You will learn how to develop a logical landscape plan for your yard.

If your pond has the correct fish-to-plant ratio and is sited so that leaves and other debris are not blown into the water, you probably won't need to clean your pond. However, most of us have...

Making a landscaping plan involves developing an overall vision for your property. Included in this plan is your home as the focal point with gardens that frame and complement the house. Creating...

Landscaping both the front and back yard of your home adds value to the house. Creating an outward groomed appearance to your home doesn't have to break your wallet. Landscaping encompasses...

Need to landscape but don't want to pay nursery prices for plants? With a little creativity you can find everything you need for very little money.

It is easy to go to the nursery and purchase plants you are drawn to--the problem comes when you fail to do the proper research and preparation ahead of time. The only way to have a healthy low...

Landscaping doesn't have to be designed with elaborate retaining walls or stately fountains to be visually appealing. Nor do you need to hire a professional to landscape your front and back yards....

One man's trash is another man's treasure. Don't throw out your gas grill once it has been used to the point where it is beyond repair. Follow a few easy cleanup steps to remove the baked-on and...

Desert landscaping makes sense. The less grass in your yard to less water you waste and the better for the ecosystem. Putting down a rock yard is time consuming but when done right, totally worth it.

Now you can plan a beautiful seashore garden -- just consider how the sun, soil, salt, storms and species of plants you choose will impact the final results.

We all enjoy a yard that is crisp and professional looking and just has the best landscaping on our block. A lot of us though realize to get that can cost some big bucks and possibly a company to...

The area around your house is probably the most important part of your landscape. It either enhances or detracts from the beauty of your house. But it also forms an enclosure that can impact the...

Many times plant problems are diagnosed incorrectly. Most people think an unhealthy plant has a disease or is being attacked by insect. Sometimes plants have nutrientproblems. There are many...